South Africa’s households continue to grapple with high crime rates, with housebreaking remaining the most prevalent crime in 2024/25, according to the latest Governance, Public Safety and Justice Survey. Despite this, there has been a slight improvement in perceptions of safety, with 81% of people aged 16 and older feeling safe walking alone in their neighborhoods during the day, up from 80.4% in 2023/24.
The survey reveals that an estimated 1.5 million incidents of housebreaking occurred over the past year, affecting 5.7% of all households in the country. Male-headed households and those living in KwaZulu-Natal province were most affected. However, only 43% of affected households reported these crimes to the police, a figure that has remained relatively stable from the previous year.
In terms of personal crimes, theft of personal property was the most common, with 1.2 million people affected, down from 1.3 million in 2023/24. Thefts were more likely to affect males and individuals living in metro areas. Consumer fraud, on the other hand, showed a significant increase, with incidents rising from 552,000 in 2023/24 to 811,000 in 2024/25. Encouragingly, the proportion of victims reporting to the police also increased, from 30.7% to 34.9%.
To stay safe, individuals are taking active measures, with 43.3% of people aged 16 and older reporting that they have taken steps to guard against crime, up from 39.9% in 2023/24. The most common precautions include walking only during safer hours and installing physical protection measures such as burglar doors. Nearly 80% of individuals reported that these measures made them feel safer.
The survey highlights the ongoing challenge of crime in South Africa, which affects households and individuals across geography, gender, and economic status. While police statistics provide some insight into reported crimes, surveys like the Governance, Public Safety and Justice Survey offer a more comprehensive picture of the experience of safety in the country. As South Africa continues to grapple with high crime rates, it is essential to understand the scope and impact of crime on households and individuals, and to develop effective strategies to address this pressing issue.
